Welcome to Work Life by Design a podcast for People & Culture leaders, C-Suite Execs, Entrepreneurs, Designers and anyone who is interested in elevating their experience of work! I'm your host, Mel Marsden, the Founder, and Director of COMUNiTI a Workplace Strategy and Design Studio focused on collaboratively, re-imagining and designing high-performance workplaces for our clients across Australia. Over the last decade I have refined my workplace toolkit to create our signature strategy offering,…
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When was the last time you really listened to your body? So often, we've been conditioned to push through — to ignore the subtle whispers of discomfort, fatigue, or restlessness. We convince ourselves we'll slow down after the next deadline, once the project's done, or when things feel less busy. But our bodies are wise . And when we ignore the whispers for too long, they eventually start to…
So often we're chasing goals, ticking off to-do lists, and striving for that next milestone without stopping to ask— are these dreams really mine? The truth is, without a deep connection to our bodies and our hearts, it's hard to know if the life we're building is truly aligned with who we are, our own authenticity. In my latest podcast episode, I sit down with Courtney Tyssen, one half of…
Creating a retreat doesn't happen without the incredible support of so many people behind the scenes. One of those people is the talented Shae Giles . If you've followed me for a while, you've no doubt seen Shae's stunning photography scattered across my socials. She's not only been my creative eye behind the lens for years, but also a loyal cheerleader and friend. But there's another side to…
Have you ever had that gut feeling about a decision in your business… but second-guessed yourself, over-analysed it, or went searching for someone else's advice? I know I have. For me, the turning point wasn't about strategy or experience—it was about reconnecting with myself and learning to trust my own intuition. In this episode, I'm joined by Filly Bellette —functional medicine practitioner,…
Burnout can creep up on even the most high-performing women — sometimes we don't even realise we're on the edge until our bodies start screaming at us. In this episode, I'm joined by the incredible Heidi Lampard — Yoga Practitioner, Holistic Wellness Mentor, Tea Ceremony Facilitator, Retreat Leader, and mother of two. Heidi will also be joining us as a facilitator at the upcoming Exhale Retreat in…
This retreat has been born out of my own experience and journey from body burnout to thriving. For years, I thought the only way I could find the peace I craved was to burn it all down, close my business, walk away from everything, and start fresh. I know I'm not alone in this. So many ambitious women I work with are exhausted from constantly being on. Le ading a business, showing up for clients,…
Season 7 has been one of the most personal yet—an honest reflection of a year filled with growth, insight, and powerful conversations. In this wrap-up episode, I'm sharing the key themes and lessons that emerged across the season: How personal transformation fuels professional fulfilment Why mastery isn't perfection, but a commitment to growth The connection between workspaces, well-being, and…
When was the last time you let yourself be swept away by the sheer beauty of the world around you? Maybe it's the sun sinking into a golden horizon or the way light dances through trees. These moments remind us of the profound joy that's available — if we pause long enough to notice. In this special conversation, Dr. Meg Hooper and I explore the concept of awe, inspired by Julia Baird's remarkable…
In a world where distractions rule and our attention is constantly hijacked—how do we reclaim our focus and find clarity? In this powerful and practical episode, I sit down with Angela Lockwood , occupational therapist, author, speaker, and the brilliant mind behind The Focus Formula . With a career dedicated to helping people tune out the noise and tune into what truly matters, Angela shares the…
What if your next office move wasn't just about real estate, but a radical reset for your entire business culture? In this episode, I sit down with my client Stephen Fryer, Greater Sydney Leader at Northrop Consulting Engineers, to explore how a lease expiry sparked a workplace transformation that redefined leadership, engagement, and innovation. From flexible work models to culture-led design,…
